Callum Brae Nature Reserve VKFF-0836

With a nice warm sunny Sunday afternoon decided to do another WWFF park activation. Returned to Callum Brae Nature Reserve VKFF-0836, to try and complete the 44 contacts needed for a WWFF point. Its a pleasant wooded Canberra Nature Park popular with bird watchers.

As per last time entered the park at the North East gate off Narrabundah Lane in Symonston. Sign for the park

Park gate. Gap next to the gate for walkers,

A map of the park on the gate

Set up the squid pole using a small gum tree sapling, and table and chairs nearby. Had my partner, Sarah along for a listen so 2 chairs set up.

FT857D radio on the table, plus afternoon tea stuff...

Started on 40 m, set the power output on the FT-857D to 30 W. Seems to be a good power output to use without draining the LifePO4 battery too much, and strong enough for chasers to copy easily.

Started with a park to park contact with VK3SMA/p, Mark in VKFF-0719 Lockyer National Park.
A bit low down but quite readable with the low noise floor in the park.

After working Mark got called by Brett VK2VW, who asked me to move down 5 to 7.130 Mhz.
Brett had a good 59 signal. After working Brett stayed on the same frequency and spotted myself on ParksnPeaks for more chasers.

Worked Mick VK3GGG/VK3PMG, VK3FMKE Keith and VK1FWBK Bill.

Got called for another park to park contact with Nick, VK3ANL/p in VKFF-2113 Ironbark Road Nature Conservation Reserve, near Melbourne. He had a good S8-S9 signal.

This was it for park to park contacts. Went on to work the following chasers

VK5FANA Adrian
VK2YK Adam
VK3FI Noel
VK4HNS Neil
VK3UH Ken
VK3YXC Ken
VK3BBB Brian
VK2IO Gerard
VK2FSAV Brett
VK2ZK Dave
VK3KYF Garry
VK5PAS Paul
VK2EMI Mark
VK5FMAZ Marija
VK5HS Ivan
VK2UH Andrew.

I briefly tried switching to 20 m and tried a few calls, but no answers. There was heavy Pacific, Asian and European QRM from a world wide contest on, probably being drowned out...

Gave it away after 25 contacts. With my earlier activation 62 contacts, well over the 44 needed for the park point for WWFF.

For bird life saw some Crimson Rosellas, Eastern Rosellas, Magpies and heard some Gang Gang Cockatoos, which have a distinctive creaking door type call. A pleasant spot for an afternoon activation.

WWFF Callum Brae Nature Reserve VKFF-0823

With a nice sunny Saturday afternoon decided to activate another previously unactivated WWFF park, VKFF-0823 Callum Brae Nature Reserve.

A bit of a search on the net found this is a park created in 2004 resumed from grazing leasehold, named after the property it came from, which is nearby. It protects a variety of different gums and is a good spot for bird watching. There are access gates off Narrabundah Lane or Mugga Lane.

I entered via the gate off Narrabundah Lane. Note at the time I activated road works had closed off the entrance from Mugga Lane. Usual green Canberra Nature Park sign.

Parked near the gate.

There is a gap in the middle of the gate, but walkers can also enter via a gap on the side of the gate.

A short distance from the gate was a wooden track marker post. This provided an ideal support for the squid pole. Set up the operating table nearby in the shade of a large gum tree.

Radio shack on the table. For more power had taken my home radio, a TS-480SAT, running off my 8400 mAH LifePO4 battery. This allowed me to run a good 30 or more watts as required. Also used my tablet tethered to my phone. Good reception here. I also took a thermos for tea time :)

Got on 40 m. Found the WWFF calling frequency already occupied by Stef VK5HSX/3 in VKFF-0739 Barmah National Park, so promptly worked him for a park to park contact.

Found a clear spot and called CQ Parks. Got found by the usual chasers, a small pileup once I got spotted on ParksnPeaks website. Calls from VK1, VK2 and VK3. Most good 59+ signals. The usual contact with Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a good signal.

A couple more park to parks, with Rob VK4AAC/3 in VKFF-0619 Alpine NP and David VK5HDW/3 in VKFF-0213 Grampians NP.

After callers stopped on 40 m decided to give 20 m a try. Surprisingly could hear European stations coming through mid afternoon, so pushed the power up to 45 w and called after spotting myself.

Got a nice steady flow of EU callers. several of the regular WWFF hunters. HA6OB, 9A7Z, UT5PI, OM7OM, RV3ATS, RA3PCI. Also JA8RJE, and Rick VK4RF/VK4HA with a 59+ signal.

Briefly changed back to 40 m to work Andrew VK1MBE/2 doing a SOTA activation on nearby Livingston Hill, SM-093.

Returned to 20 m. Went on to work F1BLL, IK1GPG, Max, a keen chaser, EA1DR and I5FLN.

As getting late in the day and clouding over gave it away. Sun setting behind nearby Mt Mugga Mugga.

A total of 37 contacts, so need to return to make up the 44 needed for WWFF.

A map of the park and my operating spot. Map courtesy of Open Street Maps www.osm.org